G-7 reaches agreements on phasing out coal: German minister

THE Group of Seven countries has reached concrete agreements on phasing out coal power generation and expanding renewable energy production, German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke was quoted by German media RTL/ntv as saying on Friday.

The pledge would mark the first commitment from the G-7 to quit coal-fuelled power - use of which needs to decrease if the world is to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

“There are very concrete declarations and agreements for the expansion of renewable energies, but also for example for phasing out coal,” Lemke said.

The final communique of the three-day G-7 meeting in Berlin this week would also include a strong emphasis on protecting biodiversity and fighting plastic pollution, she said.

Lemke was speaking as Germany hosted G-7 energy, climate and environment ministers for talks held against a backdrop of spiralling energy costs and fuel supply worries sparked by the war in Ukraine.

The conflict has triggered a scramble among some countries to buy more non-Russian fossil fuels and burn coal to cut their reliance on Russian supplies, raising fears that the crisis could undermine efforts to fight climate change.

SEE ALSO

The sustainable rise of sustainable investing

DECODING ASIA

Navigate Asia in
a new global order

Get the insights delivered to your inbox.

Germany has said finding alternative fossil fuels would not come at the expense of environmental goals. REUTERS